Level 2

Author: Lenore Appelhans

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 288 pages

MOST people wonder what happens after we die. Felicia Ward actually knows. She knows that you go to Level 2, a place between heaven and earth.

Felicia is stuck in Level 2 replaying memories of her life before her death in her pod-like chamber until Julian, the boy who broke Felicia’s heart, somehow breaks into Level 2 to rescue her.

After breaking out, though, Felicia finds out that her world is bordering on rebellion and she is the key. Stuck between heaven and earth, she must make a choice between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

My Life As A Stuntboy

Author: Janet & Jake Tashjian

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co, 272 pages

WHO knew mucking around instead of doing homework would lead to getting the opportunity of a lifetime to be a stuntboy in a major movie?

Derek Fallon was climbing objects on his university campus when he was discovered and offered his dream job. Life will be perfect now ... or so Derek thinks.

But his parents aren’t exactly keen on letting him go that easily, which would mean him missing even more classes he’s already slacked through.

Plus, his parents may give away his pet monkey, and his friend just posted a silly video of him on YouTube! What’s Derek going to do?

Rock On

Author: Denise Vega

Publisher: Little, Brown, 296 pages

TIRED of living under the shadow of his sports star brother, Orion “Ori” Taylor longs to step out into the limelight with his garage band, aptly called the Band To Be Named Later.

He’s the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the band and he’s on a mission to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and learn how to talk to girls (in real life, not just through e-mail!).

Then Del drops out of college and returns home, expecting Ori to be the little brother he’s always known, not realising that Ori wants to become his own man.

This coming of age tale sees Ori manoeuvring through life as he “switches roles” with his brother and grows up.

Counting Backwards

Author: Laura Lascarso

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 279 pages

ALL Taylor Truwell was trying to do when she stole a car was to escape her mother’s drunkenness, but now she finds herself in a juvenile psychiatric correctional facility.

Having to face the issues with her alcoholic mother and estranged father proves to be too much for her, but her plans to escape the facility are made in vain.

Initially wary of her therapist, parents and the many other patients in the facility who are dealing with a plethora of mental health issues, Taylor eventually lets a few friends take a peek behind her walls.

This story depicts the very real scenario of a teenaged girl in very real trouble and her journey of self-discovery as she slowly overcomes her problems.

The Evolution Of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 544 pages

THE second book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, this books depicts Mara Dyer as she tries to escape her problems, thinking they were all in her head but later learning that she is, in fact, not crazy, and can actually kill with her mind and that the “things” she sees are real and are not hallucinations.

The only person who will believe her is Noah Shaw, a boy who can heal with his mind, but being around him is dangerous because Mara may hurt him, so she must learn how to harness and control her powers, while trying to figure out why the people in her visions are dead and how to prevent more deaths.

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